Do not be stubborn! Sisters who haven’t properly planned their trip, please do not rush into Beijing. Attempting a budget-friendly trip with just 800 yuan for a week, especially in Beijing, is not advisable! The city poses numerous challenges, with one being the difficulty of booking attractions. Without a reservation, entry is often impossible. Here are some crucial pointers to assist you in your journey:
- At the Forbidden City, selfie sticks exceeding 1.3 meters are not allowed and must be stored.
- Visiting the Memorial Hall does not permit carrying any items. It is advisable to deposit your bags and other belongings at the designated storage areas to avoid wasting time. Mobile phones are permitted, but photography and cameras are not allowed.
- Avoid crossing the Jinshui Bridge randomly as it leads to the entrance of the Forbidden City. Returning from this point requires a half-hour walk on a one-way street.
- There are four routes to the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City that do not require security checks: (1) from Zhongshan Park; (2) from the People’s Cultural Palace (enter through the east gate and exit through the west gate); (3) from Donghuamen; (4) from Xihuamen.
- The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven Park stops admitting visitors at 4 pm and closes around 5 pm. It is recommended to arrive earlier.
- You do not need to climb the entire Badaling Great Wall. The Hero Stone is located on the South Wall, which is less crowded but offers average scenery. The North Wall is more populated.
- For the Summer Palace, it is not advisable to purchase a combined ticket as the area is vast and it may not be worth it if you cannot cover the entire site in a day.
- If you only want to take a photo with Tiananmen Square but do not want to go inside, you can get off at Tiananmen West Station, skip the security check, and take your photo from the National Museum of China.
- For afternoon tickets to the Forbidden City, you can enter as early as 11 am.
- The National Museum of China does not allow the use of power banks. Ensure that your phone is fully charged before visiting.
- The Great Hall of the People does not permit bringing in beverages, but empty cups are allowed.
- The Forbidden City, National Museum of China, and Prince Gong’s Mansion provide no-bag entry lanes.
- Both Tiananmen Square and the City Tower require reservations.
- While attending the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen, you may carry a bag, but it is not recommended. The crowd rushes to the front, and depositing your bag at a distant location can be inconvenient.
- Remember to carry your ID as it may be required for verification at various locations in Beijing, especially at Tiananmen.
- All items, including paper and other materials, will be thoroughly inspected. It is advisable to minimize the items you carry or avoid bringing a bag to shorten the security check process, especially at Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China, and the Great Hall of the People. Additionally, the Forbidden City is vast and may take up to five hours to explore. Waiting in line for security checks can consume valuable time.
- If you wish to watch the flag-raising ceremony but fear not getting a front-row spot, consider staying at the Great Hall of the People Hotel as it has fewer security checkpoints.
Follow these tips to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable experience during your visit to Beijing!
